Candidate ?we need

LABOR needs Justine Elliot clones to take seats off the Howard government across Australia.

That was the message from Opposition leader Kim Beazley after yesterday's shadow cabinet meeting at the Banora Point Multi-Purpose Centre.

Mr Beazley said it was significant the Richmond electorate, wrested from Nationals junior minister Larry Anthony by Ms Elliot at the last federal election, had been chosen as the first location for the latest round of shadow cabinet meetings.

"Justine is the perfect example of the candidate you need. She has a very nice personality, a good mind, a good heart, a great work ethic and she was on the case (campaigning) for a lengthy period," Mr Beazley said.

"There is a lesson in that for Labor," he said.

Mr Beazley had been asked if he agreed with some commentators who argue Labor's frontbench needs to make room for new talent.